In the past decade and a half, a network of more than 300 trauma care centers has developed as part of the national Emergency Medical Services system. The result is that standards for such care are becoming more uniform. Mortality for accidents that maim has dropped, and highway accidents and burn injuries in general have received much special attention.
At the recent American College of Surgeons meeting in Chicago, a multi-day symposium on trauma care attracted much of the membership. Chairman of the symposium was Robert J. Freeark, MD, of Loyola University of Chicago's Stritch School of Medicine. Among other topics, the aftermath of high-speed collision injuries was discussed.
The Contused Lung and Fluid Resuscitation
"One of the big issues in trauma care is whether to use albumin for fluid resuscitation," Freeark told JAMA MEDICAL NEWS. "Neurosurgeons keep telling us we need albumin. But the issue is controversial. Albumin is